The Georgia Marine Mammal Stranding Network was created in 1989 to coordinate marine mammal stranding response in Georgia. DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section coordinates the network with help from NOAA Fisheries and other federal, state and private organizations. Network goals are to improve the understanding of marine mammal biology, investigate human impacts on marine mammals, monitor population health, provide rapid, humane response to live stranded marine mammals, as well as educate the public about marine mammal issues.

From 2001-2012, the network documented 365 marine mammal strandings, ranging from 13 to 46 a year. Bottlenose dolphins are the most common species stranded in Georgia, making up 75 percent of strandings, followed by pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (15 percent). Other species documented include Stenella dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, pygmy killer whales, false killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, humpbacks, North Atlantic right whales and beaked whales.